In a 2016 interview with Vogue, Franklin explained how \"Respect\" resonated with all who listened.

\"It’s important for people,\" she told the magazine. \"Not just me or the civil rights movement or women—it’s important to people. And I was asked what recording of mine I’d put in a time capsule, and it is ‘Respect.’ Because people want respect—even small children, even babies. As people, we deserve respect from one another,” she added.

ABC's Andrea Dresdale and Michael Rothman contributed to this report.

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